The Liberal Lion

Posted on | August 26, 2009 | No Comments

Today I cried for Ted Kennedy. And I’m still not exactly sure why.

I never had the chance to meet him, though I have met other members of his family. But growing up in Rhode Island and now living in Massachusetts, I can’t escape the Kennedys. No one can. Here in MA, they are as ubiquitous as sunshine is in Florida and celebrities are in Los Angeles. It’s just not Massachusetts with a Kennedy around.

But why cry for someone I never knew? Because even though I didn’t know him, I felt like I did. Maybe it was because we were both the youngest of our families and we learned early on how to make it work in our favor. Maybe it was because we felt overshadowed by older siblings. Or maybe it was simply because he seemed genuinely interested in everyone, regardless of who they were. For all of his faults and imperfections (and Lord knows he had plenty – there are certainly many people eager to list them, even now), Ted Kennedy really did try to help everyone he met.

I don’t know if I can adequately explain how people in MA and RI feel about this famous family, but growing up in this part of the country, the Kennedys were simply a part of life. Ted Kennedy was a Senator for my entire life and while living in Rhode Island, I voted for his son, Patrick, several times for the House of Representatives. In spite of all the tragedy and mistakes, we loved them anyway. We forgave them time and again, elected them time and again because they were Kennedys and they were a part of us.

Senator Kennedy championed many causes during his 47 years of service and while I am happy to remain in the nonprofit world and not the political one, I can only hope to achieve a small portion of his success in helping others and making a difference in our world.

“For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

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